Historic Aviation Links
This site was most recently
updated Saturday, July 12, 2008
Ratings -- Earnest webmaster's opinion based on ease of
uploading, scope of data shared, professionalism in writing and photo content, and likely
value to serious aviation historians.
* * * * * - Worth your visit, even if you're not a
"fan" of the airplane or subject
* * * * - Membership required for full access
OR pop-up advertising interferes with site access
OR sub-par use of the language, poor spelling and random punctuation.
* * * - Comes up short in a signficant way: poor photo
coverage, no contact e-mail address, etc.
* * - Poor site design, complicated
navigation.
* - There is one reason
(great pictures, terrific personal stories, unusual content) to visit the page.
If I can't rate it with at least one
star, I will not post the link to the site at AeroKnow.
Stars followed by "M" ( * * * M) indicate significant content of
interest to model builders.
Stars followed by "PR" ( * * * PR) indicate pilot reports or memoirs.
If you visit the site and like it, please sign the site's Guestbook and mention
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Links by aircraft manufacturer, designation and name
Other recommended historic
links follow
Avro (Canada) CF-105 Arrow
Arrow
Recovery Canada -- www.avroarrow.org * *
* *
Lots of
information about the giant interceptor that did not quite enter mass production. In
addition to excellent Arrow coverage, there are links to
other Arrow sites and sites devoted to other
Avro (Canada) aircraft: the CC-102 Jetliner, Car, free
flight models and company history.
Beech Staggerwing StaggerWing.com
www.staggerwing.com *
* *
Produced by the Staggeerwing
Museum Foundation of Tullahoma, Tennesee, it is an excellent site
with enough material accessible to non-members to
make it worth a visot. Included
are pages of the first Travel Air 1000, Travel Air Model R
"Mystery Ship," pre-WWII Beech 18,
and a restored 1947 Bonanza.
Boeing
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Battle-damaged B-17s www.daveswarbirds.com/b-17 * * *
Well-done presentation of . . . you guessed it . . . pictures arranged by
areas damaged: wings,
fuselage, tail, etc., dedicated to
the men who flew the 17 into combat. There is a separate page with
pictures of battle-damaged B-24s,
but the webmaster states his intention not to produce a website
dedicated to Liberators.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress www.b-29.org * * * * *
WOW! I will be very surprised if I find a B-29 site that hits the bull's eye as well as
this!
The Norman Rockwell "Freedom From
Fear" illustration on the home page will show beyond the
shadow of a doubt why brave men fought
(and fight) for freedom. The array of links to articles and
pages about the operational history, the
Boeing "Doc" restoration now underway in Wichita and
memoirs is nothing short of remarkable!
WOW!
Canadair CP-107 Argus www.geocities.com/cp107argus
" " "
You and Don Douglas might not even recognize the legendary DC-6 which was
the
basis for this classic
conversion to maritime patrol aircraft. The group sponsoring this
site is endeavoring to
restore an Argus on static display in Canada. The site has the
usual: excellent
history of the type, pictures a plenty and links. A fine effort heralding
the almost forgotten
story of a well-loved and well-remembered airplane
Cessna http://www.cessnasites.info * *
Intended for aviation professionals, brokers, aircraft owners, the site has many
links to
other web sites,
businesses and articles. Not well organized but certain to be useful to
industry
pros. Thanks to them for their offer to exchange links.
Consolidated
B-24 Liberator B24 Net Official Website of the
392nd Bomb Group
www.b24.net/b24main.htm
* * * *
The comprehensive content about the 392nd
BG and POW research make this an excellent
specialist site.
There is no modeling content and info about the Lib in other operational areas.
B-36 Peacemaker
B-36 Net www.b36.net * * * * * M PR
The definitive portal for "Magneseum Overcast" sites and
information that will happily
consume more of
your time than a visit to Hunter S. Thompson's medicine cabinet. Did you know
that the last '36
built, which the organization listed below tried unsuccessfully to restore in Fort
Worth, Texas, has
been moved to the Pima Air & Space Museum? Read all about it and a whole
lot more by
spending a few days visiting this outstanding website!
B-36 Peacemaker Museum
http://www.b-36peacemakermuseum.org * * * *
The group tried, over many years, to restore the last B-36 to come off the production
line in 1954.
They are still going strong, sharing the story of the type, with major focus on
Dallas-Fort Worth
history and meeting regularly in Fort Worth, Texas. The web site, has several
very informative
pages, including a three-part history of the organization's airplane and links to
other B-36 sites.
Excellent photo coverage, nicely produced.
de Havilland Mosquito www.mossie.org/Mosquito.html
Very well
organized, comprehensive in coverage, with a forum and links to related
pages/organizations, this is the Mossie site to visit first. You won't likely
need to visit anywhere
else, though I
will be happy to post additional sites AeroKnow visitors recommend to earnest
webmaster.
Douglas
DC-3 www.douglasdc3.com * * * * * M PR
This may be the best DC-3 site on the Web. Though most
photos are of the Prairie
Aviation Museum's C-53 in Ozark Airlines DC-3 livery, and gives a lot of "ink"
to PAM's type
rating and special event appearances activities, it includes a forum, tons of pictures and
links
to at least half a gazillion articles about the 3bird. Highly recommended!
TBD-1 Devastator http://tbd_devastator.tripod.com/bd.page_main.htm * * * M
Mainly for modelers, the site has detailed photos and an excellent
gallery of operational
and
factory-fresh machines. The reprint of instructions for Monogram's superlative 1/48 scale
kit
with added
notes that correct faulty "facts" shared in Monogram's rendering. The color
notes are
essential
for anyone who wants to build the kit accurately, and it's all nicely presented.
Fairchild C-119 Packet
USAF AC-119 Gunships http://www.ac-1999.com/the119gunships.htm
* * *
The site is focused on the airplane and crews who flew and maintained the fighting
119 during
its brief operational career, and
there is no model coverage. Included are operational histories of the
three squadrons which flew it,
super photo coverage in the scrapbooks section and a solid history
section. It is an excellent
presentation of what it provides and a fitting tribute to brave men.
Kaman HH-43 Huskie and early Kaman helicopters
Johan Ragay's Kaman HH-43
Hukie www.h43-huskie.info * * * *
A first class presentation. Many pictures, including some of civil Huskies,
restorations, survivors
units who flew it. This is a site for the full-scale
historian and highly recommended.
Lockheed
L1011 Tristar Fly TriStar
http://trijets.net/tristar/
* * * * *
This is the
site for Tristar fans. Exceptionally well designed and written with sections
devoted to the usual history and specs, plus news of TriStar operations today,
those on the market, fleet and individual aircraft histories and links.
EC-121/WV-2 Warning Star
The "Willy
Victor" Page www.willyvictor.com/index.htm
* * * *
I'll have to visit more than one website dedicated to the ECM-bird
variants of the immortal
Constellation to declare this the "definitive" page, but that's
the way it looks now. The color
illustrations of patches of units
who flew the airplane really grab the eyes. It's a super site for former
crew members to reconnect.
SR-71 Online - An Online Aircraft Museum www.sr-71.org * * * * *
Though the SR has become, sadly, an
historical artifact, the web site shares information about
contemporary aircraft I will list at the
Modern Links page. In this site are posted an SR flight
manual, more than 700 pictures of the SR, A-12
and YF-12. It's a first class site!
Martin B-26 Marauder http://www.mind.net/rmwefel/index.html
* * * *
Great place for B-26 enthusiasts! Ralph
Wefel is a former B-26 crewman, has a
cornucopia of links to Marauder sites. This kind of effort is more fun than TV!
Messerschmitt
Bf-109
109 Lair http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/homebase.html
* * * * * M
Maybe the best site for the ubiquitous 109. Excellent drawings, links,
pictures, model gallery
and a
forum. Consider this site a "must see" if you are a 109 enthusiast.
Me-262
The Me-262 Project www.stormbirds.com/project/index.html
* * *
The Seattle, Washington-based team is completing the early efforts of Texas Airplane
Factory.
The replicas are
full-scale, powered by modern US jet engines and are for sale. You won't fine any
of these
flying machines painted like circus wagons; these gents care about authenticity. It's a
fascinating site
with many photos, Me-262 Project history and copies of articles about the effort.
Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero/Zeke)
Pelican's Perch #71: The Legendary Zero (Part 1)
http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/185354-1.html
* * * PR
Essentially a
pilot report about the restored example maintained by the Southern California Wing
of the Commemorative Air Force.
This aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-75 engine
(same thing used by the DC-3), and
though the engine is not factory-installed-equipment, most of
the rest of it is. The two part
presentation is a detailed pilot report, complete with many cockpit
pictures and fascinating facts
about the airplane. Author/pilot John Deakin knows his airplane from a
pilot's perspective. If you're
conversant with the technical terms used, this site is a "MUST VISIT."
North American
P-51 Mustang
MustangsMustangs http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51.shtml
* * * * *
The
absence of model aircraft coverage here is "small potatoes" compared with the
wealth of
photos, news and historical info as slickly laid out as
Don Gentile's final return to earth in England.
There is a membership component to this site, and access
is limited to non-members. A non-mem can
reap grandly from the site. Particularly impressive is the
news of Mustangs sold, deaths of Mustang
warbird pilots and for me, photo coverage of P-51s in the
South Pacific and China.
F-86 Sabre
Duncan's Sabre Site http://f86.tripod.com.index.html
* * * *
If you don't mind playing tag with a plethora of pop-up adverts, this is
an easy site to
recommend. It
covers all 86 derivatives, including the FJ series and Sabres manufactured by
Canadair and Commonwealth
Aircraft, includes a worldwide list of Sabres flying and on display.
There are links to several
restoration pages, a modeler's gallery and much more.
Canadair Sabre 5 Restoration in Germany http://f86.tripod.com/cn1111.html
* *
Though
the home page takes a while to load on a dial-up connection, the wait and story therein
are worth it. Thomas Heldt rescued
a derelict aircraft and has been restoring it inside a former East
German aircraft bunker that
probably used to shelter MiGs. The owner shares the operational history
of his machine (RCAF c/n 1111) in
words and pictures and detail photographs of its restoration.
Competently written (free from
wayfaring "typo's" as some folks likes to write) it's a terrific
story.
F-100 Super Sabre http://f-100.org/hun.shtml * * * * *
In a
word: com pre hensive! This is operational history BIGtime with no modeling content, but
more than pictures that will
inspire modelers. Separate pages for combat units in USAFE, PACAF,
ANG, 'Nam; drones, foreign
and civilian operators, demo teams that flew it, Absolutely worth a look!
Republic RC-3 Seabee www.seabee.info/seabee_index.htm
* * * * * M PR
One of the most comprehesive sites on the Web devoted to a specific airplane (including
the RC-1 Thunderbolt
Amphibian) this is the site to visit first and always when researching this
unique
waterbird.
Short Stirling http://www.bomber-command.info/sitemapstirling.htm
* * *
Probably not the definitive Stirling site, it's worth a look because
of the missions and losses
records,
operational airfields, manufacturers and serial numbers. Not the place for picture
seekers;
there are fewer than 15 posted.
All Eras
American
Aviation Historical Society http://www.aahs-online.org * * * *
Anyone reading this page who is already a supporter of
Abe Lincoln's Air Force
should sign up with AAHS.
Nobody shares such variety and quality of
writing as this
orgaanization. There is a photo ID contest, a discussion page, research area, book store,
book reviews, articles from their quarterly Journal, wants and disposals area, links
a plenty
and a special area shared with members only. The organization has been an inspiration to
me over the years. Get to know them. They will inspire you as well.
NotPlaneJane Collection http://www.notplanejane.com/
****
The greatest challenge in visiting this compendium of propeller history (from 1926 --
1948) is getting past its name.
And when you see the array of photographs, links, old advertisements and much more,
getting used
to the name will be easy. I thought I had seen a great variety of propellers over the
years, but all I saw was the
tip of the iceburg. Three=blade adjustable pitch WOOD props were a real revelation!
This enterprise by Monte Chase
covers
the subject exceptionally well with many close-ups of details, well arranged by
manufacturer
and informative text. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Warbird Alley http://www.WarbirdAlley.com * * * *
The best site you will find for news of warbirds all
over the world. If you like military
aircraft, you may be surprised by how many former mil birds are flying today in the
capable
hands of dedicated individuals who fly and maintain them.
Pre-Wright to World War I links
Your recommendations are invited.
World War I links
Your
recommendations are invited.
Golden Age (1919 - 1939)
AEROPLANES!
http://www.geocities.com/roynagl/aeroplanes.htm
* * * * *
An interesting site for early aviation with many pictures of pre-WWII (excellent material
re the 1927 Dole Race) and some interesting links.
Holcomb's Aerodrome www.airminded.net * * *
It's not really an airport, even though creator/webmaster Kevin Holcomb owns and flies a
Stinson Voyager and includes some nifty pics taken during his flying jaunts It is a very
impressive assemblage of Golden Age aircraft pictures and even more
impressive list of
links to historic aircraft websites and websites of interest to rated pilots. Every time I
visit, I
see a different historic aircraft picture at his home page. Highly recommended!
World War II
Luftwaffe
1946 www.luft46.com * * * * *
Based
on documents and drawings discovered following the May 8, 1945 capitulation of
Germany, the site presents 3-view drawings, color illustrations, histories and modeling
information
about the incredible number of German aircraft designs produced which were not granted
production contracts during the war and designs considered for production if the war had
continued into 1946. This is not an homage to the Nazi party; it is a consideration of
what might
have given the Allies a serious challenge
if the war had continued. It is a visual treat to see aircraft
depicted as more than obscure drawings, in color and as (mythical) operational combat
machines.
1945 -- 1955
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation
www.spiritoffreedom.org
* * * * *
This organization has restored a C-54E (41-9144) and C-97G (52-2718)
It's a fine site for learning about the Berlin Airlift: units participating, facts a
plenty AND information
about its aircraft. Also posted are the appearance schedules for the '54 and '97. With
eight radial
engines to feed and stories of missions of mercy to share, this organization merits
your support if
dollars to AeroKnow are not on your giving horizon. Highly recommended!
1956 -- 1965
Max Conrad http://www.maxconrad.com *
* * *
Max Conrad set several long distance records flying Pipers packed with
extra fuel tanks
and contributed a lot to light aircraft lore in the 50s & 60s before dying in 1979.
There is a new
website created by Bill Kuhl as a memorial to the far-flying Minnesoooootan. Bill wants to
hear
from other aviation enthusiasts who remember Max, and perhaps have pictures and anecdotes
to share. This is a worthy effort for a good man.
Vietnam War era, give or take
Your recommendations are invited.
1980s -- 2000
Your recommendations are invited.
2000 to today -- see Modern Aviation links page here
If you encounter a link that does not connect you to the site
described, please let earnest webmeister know - writer@eosinc.com
Return to AeroKnow's Recommended Links home page here
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